Grainnet

Registration is now open for the first three GEAPS-Kansas State University distance-education courses of 2009.

"Grain-Quality Management," "Safety Management of Grain & Processing Facilities," and "Fundamentals of Fuel Ethanol Production," all offered previously, are again open for enrollment in response to demand.

These three courses are the first of as many of seven that will be offered through the GEAPS-KSU partnership in 2009.

The five-week, 10-lecture courses provide inexpensive, useful, real-world professional training without the need for travel.

GEAPS-KSU course lectures come on CDs that are mailed to students, while quizzes, postings, and professional networking occur on a dedicated course Web site.

“We see these courses as more relevant than ever at a point in the industry when quality standards are increasing; safety concerns remain a top priority; and demand for alternative fuels from both the government and consumers continues to grow,” said Dr. Dirk Maier of Kansas State University, director of the GEAPS-KSU distance-education program.

All of the distance-education courses are designed specifically for professionals in grain operations and related fields.

In 2008, more than 140 students—mostly grain industry professionals—completed GEAPS courses on grain-quality management, facilities planning and design, safety management and the basics of ethanol processing.

“The fact that these courses have been brought back due to high demand speaks to the effort put forth by our team of course development volunteers and the continuing value of these topics to grain operations professionals,” said Maier.

“These courses can help any industry employee sharpen the core skills needed to do their job better and more efficiently.”

Grain Quality Management is a non-credit course teaching basic principles of managing the quality of grain, especially value-added grains and oilseeds, during post-harvest handling, and drying.

The course focuses on the management and maintenance of quality grains and oilseeds, and includes lectures on quality factors of value-added grains and oilseeds, moisture content determination, grain sampling quality standards, and more.

Safety Management of Grain & Processing Facilities was developed by recognized GEAPS industry experts in response to requests by members for a series of courses on this most important topic.

The goal of this course will be to enhance the basic knowledge and skills of operations management staff within the grain handling and processing industry in order to minimize the most significant worker safety and health risks in the industry.

The primary audience of this course will be operations management staff and/or the individuals responsible for worker safety and health training for their respective companies or employees.

Fundamentals of Fuel Ethanol Production is a non-credit course focusing on fuel ethanol production, plant operations and management, and includes lectures on fuel ethanol production basics and emerging new technologies; plant operations and management; fuel ethanol storage and transport logistics; feedstock and co-product handling and logistics; mass and energy balance and environmental compliance; and economics.

No travel is required to participate in the courses.

All students need is a computer with a CD player and an Internet connection. Students can study, engage in class discussions, or take quizzes when the time is right for them. Courses are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, throughout the five-week period.

Students are eligible to receive one contin

uing education unit from KSU for many of the offered courses.

Registration for both courses will be limited to 50 people.

The cost, which covers all CDs and full access to the course websites, is $500 for GEAPS members and $685 for non-members.

More information about the GEAPS-Purdue distance education program, including full course syllabi, a link to online registration, and a printable registration form, is available here.

For more information, call 612-339-4625.

See Related Websites/Articles:

• GEAPS
• KSU

more GRAIN NEWS...